The
Privacy Study Commission is a temporary agency created under
the Open Public Records Act (OPRA) that is legislatively mandated
to study the privacy issues raised by the collection, processing,
use, and dissemination of information by public agencies,
balancing the recognized need for openness in government with
concerns for personal privacy and security. For more information,
see N.J.S.
47:1A-15(a).

The
Commission holds monthly meetings
which are open to the public. It also hosts public
hearings. The Commission welcomes comments
from the citizenry on privacy issues. (The Commission has
prepared a brief summary of the issues for your review before
submitting your comments.) You can also review
written public comments that the Commission has received.

The
Open Public Records Act (OPRA) defines the state's policy that
government records, with certain exceptions, should be readily
accessible to the public for inspection, examination, and copying.
While limitations on the public's right of access should be
decided in the public's favor, public agencies are required
to keep a citizen's personal information from public access
when that access would violate the citizen's reasonable expectation
of privacy. For more information, see the Government
Records Council Web site.